The Sickly Beauty Can’t Escape the Obsessive Lover - Chapter 6

Ning Jin hadn’t seen Jing Yuan for a long time. Seeing him in good spirits today, he felt genuinely happy.

“Yuan, how have you been lately? Your complexion looks much rosier.”

Ning Jin was right. Although Jing Yuan had just recovered from an illness, his cheeks had visibly filled out a bit, and he seemed more energetic when speaking than before.

“It’s all thanks to Ji Yan’s care.”

Jing Yuan smiled warmly at Ning Jin. Feeling the chill, he huddled his neck into his coat, resting his hands gently on his knees, looking both tender and well-behaved.

At the mention of Ji Yan’s name, Ning Jin slowly lifted his head.

Unnoticed, Ji Yan had already approached from behind them.

“Cousin,” Ning Jin greeted with a nod, his tone softening slightly. “Long time no see.”

Ji Yan and Ning Jin’s relationship was neither close nor distant. Though they had grown up together, they rarely confided in each other. Still, as family, they maintained a polite and respectful facade.

Ji Yan acknowledged the greeting, his right hand resting on the armrest of Jing Yuan’s wheelchair. “Yuan Yuan, let me take you inside. Don’t catch a chill.”

Jing Yuan lifted his bright eyes. “Okay.”

On the way to the inner hall, Ning Jin walked alongside them.

Chen Tian followed behind the trio, discreetly observing Ning Jin.

Although the young master of the Ning family had feelings for Jing Yuan, fortunately, Jing Yuan’s heart belonged to their Mr. Ji.

Ning Jin probably wouldn’t interfere with Ji Yan’s plans.

It was an overcast day, with signs of impending snow.

As they passed through a circular archway, Ji Yan gently pushed the wheelchair and gestured to Chen Tian. “The blanket.”

Understanding immediately, Chen Tian helped Ji Yan drape it over Jing Yuan.

Already bundled up like a little penguin, Jing Yuan now looked even plumper. His delicate chin was buried in the puffy coat, making him appear even more slender.

Jing Yuan gazed at Ji Yan, his eyes sparkling. “Thank you.”

Ji Yan’s lips curved slightly. “You’re welcome.”

Ji Yan’s grandfather’s estate was vast. Pushing the wheelchair along the bluestone path slowed their pace considerably.

“What brought you back to the country so suddenly?”

Dressed in a black overcoat, Ji Yan pushed the wheelchair steadily as they strolled through the classical Chinese garden, his upright figure carrying a hint of solitude.

“I came back to help my father with the family business.”

Ning Jin maintained a smile, slipping his right hand into the pocket of his brown coat. “What about you? Have you been busy lately?”

Ji Yan replied, “Not particularly.”

Jing Yuan perked up his ears slightly, eavesdropping on their conversation.

He didn’t know much about Ning Jin’s character, having only met him once before. But as Ji Yan’s cousin, he couldn’t be too bad a person.

To show his friendliness, Jing Yuan offered a faint smile. “It’s been so long since we last met, and you’ve grown even more handsome.”

Ning Jin was pleasantly surprised. “Thank you, Yuan.”

Jing Yuan grinned warmly, snuggling tightly into the blanket Ji Yan had given him, feeling quite satisfied with his current social connections.

Just then, the wheelchair jolted abruptly.

Jing Yuan, caught off guard, nearly lost his balance and gasped in surprise.

“Sorry, I didn’t see the rock ahead,” Ji Yan said softly, his gaze fixed on Jing Yuan.

Jing Yuan’s face paled, but he responded gently, assuring Ji Yan it was fine. Clutching his chest, he sat obediently in the wheelchair.

He was truly exasperated.

How could Ji Yan miss such a large rock?

Were those dark eyes of his just for decoration?

After silently venting his frustration, the considerate Jing Yuan didn’t forget to comfort Ji Yan again. “Don’t worry about it. I wasn’t scared.”

Ji Yan stared at him for a moment before replying, “Mm.”

As they entered the inner hall, a wave of warm air enveloped them.

This was the central chamber where Ji Yan’s grandfather specially received guests, tastefully decorated as if bringing the landscapes of Jiangnan indoors.

Ji Yan’s grandfather was named Lin Zhi, hailing from a famously prominent family lineage. With Old Master Lin celebrating his birthday, who wouldn’t show him due respect? The guests coming and going were almost all distinguished figures of Ningcheng.

Ji Yan first brought Jing Yuan to the lounge.

Before parting, Jing Yuan waved to Ning Jin: “Bye, cousin.”

Ning Jin responded with a faint smile: “See you later.”

Jing Yuan was very happy, the corners of his lips unconsciously lifting.

Ji Yan watched him leisurely, his cool and detached expression making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

The sound of the wheelchair on the wooden floor was very noticeable, and almost all the guests were watching the two of them.

After the long journey, entering the warm space made Jing Yuan feel drowsy, his energy gradually waning.

Slumping in the wheelchair, he glanced around from the corner of his eye.

Why were they all looking at him?

Had they never seen someone in a wheelchair before?

Entering the lounge, the door gently closed behind them.

Jing Yuan eagerly wanted to take off his own clothes but unexpectedly, Ji Yan leaned over from behind, encircling him and tightening his grip on Jing Yuan’s fingers.

“Let me help you.”

Ji Yan’s voice was deep, his cool fingertips occasionally brushing against Jing Yuan’s warm little hands, creating a stark contrast.

Jing Yuan kept his hands tucked, held almost in an embrace from behind by Ji Yan, feeling particularly nervous.

Then, Ji Yan moved closer to him: “Do you enjoy chatting with Ning Jin that much?”

Jing Yuan didn’t think much of it: “Mm-hmm.”

Ji Yan’s eyes flickered slightly. After helping Jing Yuan remove his coat, he hung it on the clothes rack, turning his back to Jing Yuan as he meticulously straightened it.

“Yes, I can tell,” Ji Yan said with a shadowed expression.

Jing Yuan couldn’t see Ji Yan’s face and naturally couldn’t detect anything unusual about him.

“Cousin Ning Jin seems very kind.”

“Is that so?” Ji Yan turned his head slightly, his cold gaze softening imperceptibly at that moment, already turning gentle. “Then, Yuan Yuan, do you think I seem kind?”

Jing Yuan’s tucked hands rested lightly on his knees, nervously licking his pale lips, his face a tangle of ‘I can’t lie to you.’

Ji Yan took a deep breath, walked to the side of the wheelchair, and crouched down: “I didn’t mean anything else. I just feel like you’re always afraid of me.”

Jing Yuan thought to himself: “How could I not be afraid of you? You kill without shedding blood, the kind that makes people tremble with fear—wouldn’t you be scared?”

“I’m not afraid, of course not.”

Jing Yuan cleverly raised his hand, forming a heart shape over his chest: “I love you the most.”

“Really?” Light brown eyes stared at Jing Yuan as if confirming, unflinchingly meeting his gaze.

“Of course it’s true,” Jing Yuan affirmed.

After a long, long while, Ji Yan broke the subtle atmosphere between them, stood up, and pushed the wheelchair: “There’s still an hour before the banquet starts. Yuan Yuan, go rest first so you don’t get too tired.”

Jing Yuan held onto the wheelchair, his eyes grateful: “Ji Yan, you’re so good.”

After seeing Jing Yuan into the bedroom, Ji Yan’s tall figure slowly retreated. Walking on the carpet, his expression grave, he strode directly into another room.

Not long after, a loud crash came from the bedroom.

Ji Yan, his eyes cold, held only the lid of the teacup.

Chen Tian hurried over at the sound, gently pushed open the bedroom door, and his gaze fell on the shattered porcelain fragments scattered across the floor.

He pressed his lips together: “Mr. Ji, everyone outside heard it.”

Ji Yan crossed his legs as he leaned back in the rosewood chair, picking up a new teacup: “So what if they heard.”

Chen Tian reminded him: “Young Master Jing is a light sleeper.”

At the mention of Jing Yuan’s name, Ji Yan sneered, “I’ve done everything I should, and he actually thinks Ning Jin is kind?”

Chen Tian hesitated to speak.

In truth, Jing Yuan wasn’t wrong. Ning Jin did appear approachable.

Noticing Chen Tian’s unspoken thoughts, Ji Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. “Do you think so too?”

Chen Tian quickly defended himself, “Young Master Ning has always had that kind of temperament since childhood.”

Ji Yan flung another teacup, a flicker of anger evident between his brows. “Haven’t I been good to him these days? The moment he sees Ning Jin, it’s like he’s found family—he’d follow him in a heartbeat.”

Chen Tian exclaimed, “You’ve truly been good to Jing Yuan!”

Ji Yan pressed his lips tightly together. “So, I didn’t act convincingly enough?”

Chen Tian hesitated, “…That’s not it either.”

Not long ago, he had treated others with cold indifference, only to suddenly change his attitude and act as if he cared deeply. Jing Yuan wasn’t a fool—who would believe that?

Ji Yan knew this logic well. He had simply underestimated Jing Yuan’s intelligence. He had assumed Jing Yuan was so lovestruck that a single word from him would make Jing Yuan forget everything that had happened.

It seemed he was mistaken.

Ji Yan’s eyes darkened. “It seems he’s not that easy to appease.” Recalling the fabricated incident about abstinence, his expression grew even more sinister.

Chen Tian suddenly had an idea. “Why not… go all out?”

Ji Yan had a bad feeling. “Go on.”

Chen Tian stole a glance at Ji Yan. “If you believe making Jing Yuan fall for you is crucial, then sometimes you might have to make some personal sacrifices.”

Ji Yan stared at him intently, then suddenly curved his lips into a smile.

A moment later, Chen Tian emerged from the room, disheveled and flustered. As the door closed, the sound of shattering porcelain echoed from inside.

Meanwhile, across the hallway, another door was quietly locked.

Jing Yuan, with his hands behind his back, strolled around the room as if on a leisurely walk, admiring the antique paintings.

Sitting for too long had made his back ache terribly, so he needed to take this chance to relax.

He had to admit, Ji Yan’s grandfather’s house was truly luxurious. Even the casual rosewood chairs and tables were priceless artifacts worth millions.

Jing Yuan casually pulled a calcium tablet from his pocket, chewing it like candy as he lay on the soft bed, stretching his limbs contentedly.

Though his body was exhausted, he was still happy to get some fresh air.

But…

He suddenly recalled the way Ji Yan had questioned him earlier.

So, did Ji Yan really like him?

Otherwise, why would he care so much about Jing Yuan’s opinion of him?

Jing Yuan propped his chin seriously, rubbing his cheek against the soft cotton quilt.

He couldn’t help but wonder what the real reason was in the novel for Ji Yan turning against him.

Could it be love turning into hatred?

Or perhaps there really was some ambiguous emotional entanglement in the original story.

Jing Yuan was so tired his head ached. After struggling to take off his shoes, he gently pulled his legs back from the edge of the bed and, like a little earthworm, burrowed under the covers to rest for a while.

His body was thin and frail, making it seem as if there was no one under the quilt at first glance—not even the sound of breathing could be heard.

He didn’t know how long he slept.

When Jing Yuan woke up, he found Ji Yan sitting by the bed, watching him.

“Is it time for dinner?”

Jing Yuan was still drowsy, buried under the quilt with only a slender, pale wrist visible.

“Yes, I’ll take you to meet everyone now.”

“Alright.”

Jing Yuan struggled to crawl out from under the covers and realized his socks had somehow disappeared.

Embarrassed, he fumbled under the quilt and pulled out two crumpled white socks.

He discreetly sniffed them—they didn’t smell.

“Wait a moment, I need to put on my clothes.”

Jing Yuan adjusted his posture, gently bending his legs. One of his pant legs was inadvertently hitched up, revealing a jade-like calf that swayed before Ji Yan’s eyes.

His movements were somewhat sluggish, compounded by having just woken up. Even searching for a sock seemed hazy, as if his whole body were floating on cotton, unable to muster any strength.

At that moment, Ji Yan reached over and took Jing Yuan’s sock.

“Let me help you put it on.”

His broad palm instantly enveloped the slender ankle. Ji Yan slowly lifted Jing Yuan’s foot toward himself.

Jing Yuan didn’t dare move recklessly. His glass-like eyes examined Ji Yan like a cautious kitten, his hands unsure where to rest.

Jing Yuan’s skin was smooth, feeling incredibly pleasant to the touch.

As he slipped the sock on, Ji Yan spoke as if mentioning the most ordinary matter: “Yuan Yuan, I had a dream last night.”

Jing Yuan didn’t think much of it: “What dream?”

Ji Yan’s lips curved upward: “I also made an exchange with the heavens.”

Jing Yuan shivered, suddenly feeling uneasy: “You chatted with the Heavenly Emperor too?”

Ji Yan lowered his gaze: “Mm.”

Jing Yuan’s heart began to pound: “What did you two talk about?”

“Nothing much.” After helping Jing Yuan with his socks, Ji Yan leaned forward and lifted him up, “’I just helped you end your ten years and eight months of celibacy period.'””

Jing Yuan’s feet left the ground, suspended in the air without any support.

“D-did the Heavenly Emperor agree?”

He felt extremely guilty, even stammering as he spoke.

Ji Yan smiled, leaning close to his ear: “Guess.”